ANCYL Big Five could meet tomorrow over crisis

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to charge Deputy President Jacob Zuma. We will expect as logical that, as the leader of government, if he is prosecuted, he will step down," said ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula.

He said: "Judge (Hilary) Squires has given them (the NPA) all the ammunition. All they must do by next week is call him (Zuma) to court and prosecute him.

"We are therefore saying, prosecute the deputy president to give clearance to the issues at hand. Judge Squires has given them (the NPA) ammunition, let them use it to prosecute Jacob Zuma because he (Judge Squires) says by implication he is corrupt and has had a corrupt relationship with Schabir Shaik.

"Jacob Zuma must therefore be allowed to speak through the law. What sense is it going to make for him to speak in public to clear himself except through the law? His day in court is what is fundamental."

Mbalula believes this will be the only way that Zuma could defend himself against the allegations.

Mbalula's statement came as the ANC grapples with one of its toughest leadership tests to date calls that Zuma should go after the finding that he had a corrupt relationship with Shaik.

The ANC is said to be divided over what should happen to Zuma, who has maintained his innocence.

This weekend saw a flurry of activities as consultations continued deep into the night. It is believed that Mbeki has been briefed by his legal advisers on the situation. However, the legal team did not include Mojanku Gumbi, who is understood to be out of the country.

Unconfirmed reports yesterday indicated that Mbeki and Zuma would have a meeting today.

This followed earlier reports that a meeting took place on Friday night, but spokespeople for Mbeki and Zuma denied this.

However, if a meeting does not materialise today, the president and the deputy president will meet tomorrow during a routine meeting with ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe, national chairperson Mosiua Lekota and treasurer Mendi Msimang.

Until now, the ANC has been extremely cautious about the outcome of the Shaik corruption trial, saying it needed time to study the 165-page judgment and that people should not jump to conclusions.

Whatever the outcome of the meeting today or tomorrow, Zuma will certainly have to make a few difficult decisions.

Many in the ANC are hoping he steps down voluntarily thus saving the party, and Mbeki, the stress of managing his exit.

On the other hand, Zuma has maintained his innocence and is expected to argue that the Shaik trial judgment will be subject to an appeal. As a result, he is likely to ask for a decision to be postponed until a judgment is made on the appeal, which could be within a year.

This will leave Mbeki and the ANC with their hands tied, although it is understood that Mbeki is concerned about the impact it will have on his work in Africa and the rest of the world.

Asked whether the ruling by Squires makes Zuma less than presidential material Mbalula said:"No it does not. What it (the ruling) does, is taint him and his character.

"It is a normal thing in society that once you are tainted, the normal thing is for you to be afforded an opportunity to clear your name.

"It would be untruthful on our part as the youth league to say what happened in Durban (the Shaik trial) and what has been said has not tainted Zuma's character. It will be a lie for anybody to claim it has not.

"But at the same time, we have to take into account that Zuma is innocent and has not been found guilty by any court."

Meanwhile, the NPA, through its asset forfeiture unit, has attached R30 million of Shaik's assets.

The NPA has quelled rumours that Zuma's Nkandla homestead might also be attached, saying the deputy president had not been charged.

The NPA was yesterday tightlipped about whether it would charge Zuma.

Such a decision is only likely to be taken by director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli only after consultation with Mbeki because of the political implications involved. *1

With ackowledgements to Wonder Hlongwa, Jimmy Seepe, Makhudu Sefara and the City Press

Politics should having nothing to do with it.